PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Victims from a deadly nightclub fire were included in a memorial event Monday sponsored by a crime victims' advocacy group, drawing criticism because no criminal charges have been filed as a result of the blaze.
The lawyer representing Great White tour manager Dan Biechele said the timing of the memorial event, during national Crime Victims' Rights Week, could ``foster an atmosphere that encourages the authorities to charge'' someone.
``It is entirely possible that the attorney general may conclude that criminal charges are not warranted against some or even all of the people presently being investigated by the grand jury,'' said Thomas Briody, who represents Biechele. ``I would encourage the public to keep an open mind.''
Great White was the band whose pyrotechnics display sparked the deadly blaze at The Station nightclub on Feb. 20. Ninety-nine people were killed and nearly 190 were injured, and a grand jury is still considering handing down criminal charges.
The victims were among those remembered Monday by Gov. Don Carcieri and the Rhode Island Victims' Advocacy & Support Center.
Attorney General Patrick Lynch, who attended the memorial event, said he saw no problem including the fire victims in the memorial ceremony.
``I did not advocate for it ... but I don't condemn somebody for doing it,'' Lynch said. ``This is about sending messages to victims of the past, those currently in the system and, unfortunately, those who may come into it, that we are ready to respond.''
Lynch said he was unaware the fire victims would be included in the ceremony, which featured a video and testimony from family members of those killed in violent crimes.
Carcieri spoke at the event and said later the fire victims' inclusion was intended to comfort their families.
``Their work is with all victims,'' Carcieri said of the support group. ``Those families feel whether it was an accident or whether it was a criminal act or not, they still they are victims, they've lost a loved one.''
